Educational Program
Keynote Speaker - Kenneth Wong
Speaking The True Language of Leadership
While it seems only natural for any supplier to market themselves on the basis of "what" they do for clients, doing so is not enough to win. The reason is simple: clients don't care as much about "what you do" as they do care about "what you make possible". Never is this more true than during periods of uncertain economic conditions.
Because clients are not familiar with the intricacies of event design or management, a simple recounting of activities performed can make you seem like a commodity that is relatively undifferentiated from the offering of others and of little incremental value over having those activities performed in-house. The result is an understatement of your true value and increased emphasis on price concessions to win and retain clients. In this talk Ken will identify the outcomes most sought by the c-suite executive and challenge you to translate your business offerings into those terms. Learn how to insure that you are seen as a "profit centre" to be invested in and not as a "cost centre" to be minimized.
Concurrent Sessions
How do we Lead When They Know More than We Do?”
James Spellos
Is 10 years’ experience a benefit or hindrance to your career advancement? Without an understanding of today’s technological tools, baby boomers (and even some Gen X and Millenials) are struggling to keep up with how people communicate and connect in 2011. This session identifies and discusses the essential and developing technologies that are impacting the hospitality industry, so that you can talk the talk and remain an invaluable part of your own organization.
James Spellos is the President of Meeting U., a company specializing in helping people become more productive and comfortable with technology. Jim is certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). He is a recognized expert in the field of technology for business professionals, delivering over 150 seminars annually on how to become more productive &efficient using technology applications, including social media. He is a faculty member at New York University, teaching in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies since 1990, joining the undergraduate faculty in 2002. Through Meeting U., Jim publishes a monthly technology e-letter named Techniques. This free newsletter shares technology applications and services that apply for professional and personal use. Outside of the meetings industry, Jim is an accomplished musician and songwriter, playing guitar, keyboards and singing for the New York City rock band Contraband. They released their first CD, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” in late 2008, with all proceeds going to charity. You can reach James at: jspellos@meeting-u.com or checkout his website at: http:www.meeting-u.com
Leadership - If You're Not Looking Ahead You're Already Behind
Scott Kress
James P. Evans' work entitled "Which Ant Are You" starts by stating that Bill Keene's Family Circus is one of the world's most beloved newspaper comics. Each day, the artist explores the joys and challenges of family life and, on occasion, teaches a few basic lessons along the way. Recently, the cartoon featured small son Billy peering intently at a long, single-file line of ants stretching down the sidewalk. "That first ant better know where he's going," he observed to his sister. How's that for a basic lesson in leadership? The first ant better know where he's going. Leadership, like any journey, begins with a destination. Where do you want to go? Or where do you want to be? After you've answered those questions, then you work on the "how" and "when" parts of the equation. How do we get there? When should we start? Those are tactical issues. They're not really relevant until you've answered the destination question. Join our speaker for this interactive session on leadership goals and vision.
The Great Debate
Moderated by Paul Frazer from the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), NMID will be hosting a “good, old fashioned” debate with two teams on opposing sides discussing a topic of high priority to both MPI members and non-members alike. The topic? We ourselves have been debating this on the committee and with Paul and thought we might try something different: “What do you want the topic to be?” Email your responses to marieldoyle@gmail.com prior to March 15, 2011.
